Olympics Games for SEQ 2032

[ozbob]

These games have the potential to bankrupt Queensland. I think local councils understand that, and they are acutely aware of that because their revenue is tied to property values. Screw it up and they will devalue every house in SEQ. I can already see angry mobs of residents balking at having rate increases to pay for it.

On the other hand, as bad as the track record for the Olympics are, it is not a fixed destiny for it to be expensive. We do have a choice. Many venues already exist due to hosting previous games and events. They could be repurposed.

It also gives SEQ a funding advantage for Federal funds as it is an International Event that affects people across state borders, and even national borders. A key question is whether we trust the Queensland Gov't to pull that off. It hasn't organised something that big since 1982.

Well, they are struggling to implement all door boarding on bus routes that matter ...

Olympics ?   ?    ?

Anyone want a banana? 

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Brisbane Olympics bid: Galaxy poll shows big support

OLYMPIC fever has gripped Queenslanders, with nearly two-thirds keen to see the state's southeast throw its hat into the rings as a potential ­future Games host.

An exclusive Galaxy poll for The Courier-Mail shows 62 per cent of people support a possible bid for the 2028 event. Only 30 per cent oppose the idea, with 8 per cent uncommitted.

"That's pretty strong,'' Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said  ...

[BrizCommuter]

Queensland isn't capable of hosting the Olympics, if it can't even open a train line!

Anyway, time for a re-link to a topical BrizCommuter post from 2015.
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/leaked-brisbane-2028-olympic-transport.html

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Trad 'would love' Qld Olympics but CommGames is costly lesson

[#Metro]

Why does it need to "stack up"? It didn't stack up for Townsville Stadium, so why not just do some hand waving and say the words "we can't measure the benefits, but trust us, we are absolutely sure they are there and large!!"

[ozbob]

Sunday Mail 21st August 2016 page 66 [ Traps with Peter Cameron ]

BRISBANEGAMES - SUMS DON'T ADD UP

[ozbob]

I caught a program on BCC radio by chance last evening that mentioned the diminishing number of cities/jurisdictions that are finally bidding for the Olympic Games.  Seems many places have taken the view that the real costs and political dramas are not worth the effort any more.  From memory I think it was 5 cities went for 2020 games  (Tokyo successful), only 4 places are going for 2024. Seven cities went for 2016 games (Rio successful of course).  Brisbane might be the only one or perhaps one of a small group that are interested for 2028 in the end (although there are a large number of potential bidders at present). Similar story for Winter games.

[ozbob]

Sunday Mail --> Brisbane Olympic Games: How the city could host them in 2028 or 2032

Uh .. oh ... already starting to slide out year wise .. 

[#Metro]

I can't really see why the Olympic Games can't be done at breakeven or make a small profit.

Politician's egos appear to have run wild with new this, new that. I suspect much of the costs are for purchasing ' concrete '

to build monuments rather than events.

[ozbob]

The Big Issue --> Is hosting the Olympics Games a poisoned chalice?

[James]

I caught a program on BCC radio by chance last evening that mentioned the diminishing number of cities/jurisdictions that are finally bidding for the Olympic Games.  Seems many places have taken the view that the real costs and political dramas are not worth the effort any more.  From memory I think it was 5 cities went for 2020 games  (Tokyo successful), only 4 places are going for 2024. Seven cities went for 2016 games (Rio successful of course).  Brisbane might be the only one or perhaps one of a small group that are interested for 2028 in the end (although there are a large number of potential bidders at present). Similar story for Winter games.

I think a large part of this is the GFC and associated high levels of debt. Governments simply don't have the money to host events like the Olympic games any more.

Really, Brisbane needs serious infrastructure works before it is in any shape to host the games. Also needs a dedicated facility with rail access, or a loop extended out to it. Think Sydney's Olympic Park.

QE2 could do the job if a rail loop was extended from Coopers Plains/Altandi area to the QE2 site, and nearby houses resumed for an Olympic Village (to be turned into residential apartments once the games finish).

[aldonius]

If we assume CRR to Yeerongpilly, then have GC RRR turn left at Garden City, then the resulting tunnel pretty much goes underneath the QE2 site (and, more usefully for the rest of eternity, Nathan campus). 30-35 km line from Beenleigh to Yeerongpilly, compares to 30.5 km on the surface. The line would be substantially straighter at the micro level though. Journey time at about 27 minutes (assuming tunnel from BL to M1 and from just south of the Gateway at 8MP to Yeerongpilly, 80km/h in tunnel, 120km/h, 30s dwells) compared to about 32 now.

[SurfRail]

Assuming I had a lot of money to play with, I would get rid of Mayne yard. 

The heavy duty facilities would gradually be relocated out of the city to other locations (eg Banyo, Clapham, Moolabin etc).  There would be a greater focus on outer suburban stabling and improved counterpeak services, which would reduce the demand for inner city stabling to a more manageable amount that could be contained in a much smaller footprint (eg along the Ekka loop through Victoria Park).  Put the ICB underground between Bowen Hills station and K-S Drive.  Buy up all the light industrial uses, car yards, car washes and brothels along Abbotsford Rd, then flatten everything and improve flood mitigation.

This would combine well with the indoor arena proposed for the Roma St precinct and would result in a lot of what is currently prime inner city land being put to a higher and better use.

I basically think any attempt to make QSAC a heavy duty venue again is going to flop.  Suncorp, the Gabba and a new stadium at Mayne would cover it a lot better.

BIG CAVEAT - I can think of a LOT of better things to spend the money on.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane to tip in $870,000 for Olympics feasibility study

Brisbane ratepayers will contribute $870,000 over two years for the $2 million to $3 million feasibility study for south-east Queensland to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028.

Brisbane's likely contribution will be debated at Tuesday's full Brisbane City Council meeting, while similar issues will be debated at Tuesday's Gold Coast City Council meeting ...

... Council of Mayors chairman Cr Graham Quirk said a number of councils had already received detailed briefings on the pre-feasibility analysis.

He said the response from councils had been "overwhelmingly positive".

Cr Quirk said the real advantage in the feasibility study was identifying how to manage south-east Queensland's growth over the next decade.

"This work isn't just about a three-week sporting event, it's about bringing the State and Federal governments to the table to address the needs of south-east Queensland," Cr Quirk said.

"And having the hard facts to support our ongoing calls for better public transport and roads for our communities," he said.

A 12-month 2028 Olympics and Paralympics pre-feasibility study released last month showed the region "had the potential to successfully mount a bid."

Cr Quirk said two things were needed; a people mass movement study that showed how visitors could be moved quickly between different venues in Southeast Queensland, and an audit of venues.

He said the ability for a "region" – instead of a city - to bid to host the Games meant costs could be shared.

That is different to London, or Rio, shouldering the cost burden of hosting the Olympics, Cr Quirk said.

Council of Mayors treasurer and Redland City Mayor Cr Karen Williams said Redland City councillors would vote on supporting an SEQ 2028 Olympic Games on Wednesday.

"Redland City was one of the first to receive a briefing on the pre-feasibility analysis and councillors have already given their informal support for continuing with a feasibility study," said Cr Williams.

"This week I will table a mayoral minute asking councillors to formally endorse the Council of Mayors' investigations that will provide the information we as a region need to decide whether it is in our interests to continue with a formal bid process.

"Obviously there are a lot of questions, but equally there is a lot of opportunity and we owe it to our communities to gather as much information as possible so an informed decision can be made."

Sunshine Coast mayor Mark Jamieson, Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale, Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio and Scenic Rim mayor Greg Christensen have all backed supporting a feasibility study.

A final decision by the Council of Mayors is expected in October.

[ozbob]

4BC report that GCCC has just voted unanimously to not contribute funds for the feasibility study for the Olympic Games !

[Gazza]

If we were to host the games, why aren't current facilities suitable for most sports? Is there much we'd need to build?

I guess a whitewater venue?

It seems host cities are conned into building massive stadiums and then they struggle to sell tickets....

Id be p%ssed  if we were made to build any stadia in addition to Suncorp and Gabba for instance....

[ozbob]

4BC report that GCCC has just voted unanimously to not contribute funds for the feasibility study for the Olympic Games !

Just heard LM Tate on radio.   "GCCC will not be part of the bid.  So much to do with Commonwealth Games, doesn't want to add any more burden to GC ratepayers. "

[SurfRail]

Good man!

Any support we offer from down here should be in-kind (ie use of the perfectly good facilities we are putting together).

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Council says no to Olympic bid

THE Gold Coast will not be supporting the south east Queensland bid for the 2028 Olympic Games.

Councillors voted unanimously not to support the bid during a council meeting this afternoon.

The Gold Coast will not be putting forward $410,000 or any in kind funding to support the Brisbane.

Mayor Tom Tate said ratepayers could not afford an Olympics.

He said the focus should be on the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

[ozbob]

Just in: @brisbanecityqld votes to support funding for SEQ #Olympics feasibility study

— Team Quirk (@Team_Quirk) August 23, 2016

[ozbob]

Uh ... oh ... looks like might be some opposition down south team SEQ Olympics ..   

"We're the only one (city) where the infrastructure is already here" - @LordMayorMelb on Melbourne making potential #Olympic bid for 2028.

— Kristy Mayr (@KristyMayr7) August 23, 2016

[ozbob]

Yep, Melbourne has built things and has things and will even have a new CBD rail tunnel ..

In SEQ we have a failed public transport network and lots of videos of grand plans with crappy music!

Why waste the $$$ Quirky?   

" But we will have some rubber tyre trains ... " 

Errrr   .... really?   

[SurfRail]

2024 - introduce Beige CityGlider
2027 - threaten to cancel Beige CityGlider to be able to afford to build road connection to the athlete's village

[ozbob]

^ wtg !

Meanwhile ...

Councillors unanimously support @CrKarenWilliams motion for a @SEQMayors feasibility study into a 2028 Olympics #seq2028 #rccmeeting

— Redland City Council (@RedlandCouncil) August 24, 2016

[aldonius]

Well of course Redland would be in favour:

http://tincog.splunge.net.au/

[ozbob]

^ LOL

Thanks for the laugh 

[achiruel]

It's fairly certain GCLR stage 2 wouldn't be under construction yet.

[ozbob]

.@TRCMayor Paul Antonio tells @612brisbane why Olympic feasibility study is vital to SEQ's economy & infrastructure. https://t.co/fhZi5OMkCt

— Council of Mayors (@SEQMayors) August 30, 2016

[ozbob]

Council has agreed to contribute to a @SEQMayors feasibility study for a 2028 #olympicgames and #Paralympics bid #sunshinecoast

— SunshineCoastCouncil (@CouncilSCC) September 14, 2016

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Sunshine Coast chips in $200,000 to back Olympics 2028 bid for SEQ

The Sunshine Coast Council has voted to contribute around $200,000 to put together a full feasibility study to host the Olympics and Paralympics in 2028.

Thursday's decision means the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Redlands, Somerset, Lockyer Valley, the Scenic Rim and Toowoomba council will all now support the feasibility study which will be prepared over the next 12 to 18 months at a cost of between $2 million and $3 million.

... Ipswich, Logan and Moreton Bay councils have recently been briefed on the Olympic Games feasibility bid.

"They are expected to vote in the near future," a spokeswoman from the South-East Council of Mayors said.

"Once all councils have finalised their votes, the mayors will make a final decision will make a final decision how to proceed," she said.

"I would expect that to be done by the end of this month."

At this stage, only Gold Coast City Council has elected not to financially support a feasibility bid for the 2028 Olympic Games.

If a decision is made to prepare a feasibility study, it will take 12 to 18 months. ...

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Logan City Council votes against contributing to Olympic Games feasibility study

SOUTH East Queensland's potential 2028 Olympic Games bid has taken a serious knock with a second council declining to contribute towards funding for a region-wide feasibility study.

Logan City Council this morning voted against contributing $200,000 towards the study, citing concern over lack of economic benefits for the region.

In a statement released shortly after the vote, Logan Mayor Luke Smith said the decision to vote against providing funding was because the document "may not deliver any tangible benefits for our residents or businesses".

"Hosting the Olympics is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and would undoubtedly be something to be proud of but we feel an Olympics held in this region would be promoted internationally as 'Brisbane 2028' with limited benefits to the City of Logan," Cr Smith said.

"Hosting an Olympics generally costs governments far more than the perceived economic benefits they bring to the community and without guaranteed benefits for the people of Logan, our decision has been made to not support the bid any further."

The Gold Coast City Council is the only other council to so far oppose contributing to the study.

Toowoomba Regional Council this morning formally ratified its decision to contribute funding after voting in favour at a meeting last week.

Brisbane, Redland, Somerset, Scenic Rim, Sunshine Coast and Lockyer Valley have all previously committed to the feasibility study.

[#Metro]

Hosting Olympics is generally a money-killer.

That said, there is no reason why an Olympics bid could not get up. It is a good way to attract Federal Funds over other states

and territories.

History is not Destiny. If the politicians managed to hold on to the purse strings a bit, and not splash out on things, there is no

reason why an Olympics cannot be a net positive.

[SurfRail]

Personally I think Logan's position is quite defensible.  It's hard to see how they will benefit except in the most tangential way.

[#Metro]

I defend the right for councils not to fund Olympics investigations, but then any final report should simply omit any assessment of the councils that have chosen not to put forward funding for the investigation.

In that case, most events would be in Ipswich, Redlands, and Sunshine Coast.

There is no reason for the Gold Coast to be "free riding".

Sunshine Coast would be particularly interesting as it has always lived in the shadow of the Gold Coast IMHO.

The Olympics could make a break even or even a profit provided that uncompromisingly strict discipline is followed, for example, banning any project that has a BCR below 1, and potential rezoning or mixed zoning of venues after olympics are finished.

Perhaps they could also sell off the athletes village immediately after the closing ceremony. As all homes would be new, they would pass FIRB approval IMHO.

[SurfRail]

There is no reason for the Gold Coast to be "free riding".

Well there are a few:

1. There's no way the beach sports would be anywhere but here - they certainly aren't going to be held anywhere in the metropolitan Brisbane area, and the Gold Coast is easier to get to and better set up for larger events than Mooloolaba et al.

2. There are heaps of venues sitting around down here which GCCC has had substantial involvement in funding for the Commonwealth Games and other events.  It would make little economic sense to duplicate them elsewhere in the region.

3. People will come to the Gold Coast regardless because there is considerably more for tourists to do here when they aren't at an event, and even people attending the events may elect to stay here or fly to or from OOL.  We will get uplift regardless of whether we have to pay for the Olympics or not, there is not going to be any stopping it.

4. The rates revenue is better spent procuring more light rail, funding better bus services and active transport infrastructure (and that is just transport), Olympics or not.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Olympic Games bid: Councils may have to pay $500,000 for study

SOUTHEAST Queensland councils could be forced to fork out more than $500,000 to cover the shortfall in its feasibility study into a bid to host the 2028 Olympic Games.
Graham Quirk chairs the South East Council of Mayors discussing options. Pic: Annette Dew

The South East Council of Mayors, chaired by Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, will meet on Friday to discuss their options after the Logan City Council yesterday voted against contributing $200,000 towards the $2.5 million study.

It is the second council to opt out of funding the study, after the Gold Coast rejected a request for $300,000.

A decision on whether to proceed with the feasibility study is expected to be made by the end of the month.

Cr Quirk declined to comment until all councils had made their decision.

Brisbane, Redland, Somerset, Scenic Rim, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley have committed.

Ipswich City Council Dep­uty Mayor Paul Tully said the council had been briefed on the study and was likely to make a contribution. It is uncertain how the Moreton Bay Regional Council will vote.

Logan Mayor Luke Smith said the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games would deliver "zero benefits" for Logan.

"We'll focus on the City of Logan for the next decade and, unfortunately, that means we won't be able to co-fund the feasibility study," he said.

The deliberations have caused schisms among some of the member councils.

Redlands Mayor Karen Williams wrote to Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate after the Glitter Strip declined to contribute towards the Olympic Games feasibility study.

Cr Tate responded with a fiery letter on the financial pain of 2018 for the Gold Coast.

[#Metro]

1. There is no reason why an Olympics cannot be well run and come in cost neutral or make a small surplus. To use an analogy, just because statistics show that 10 people jumped off a cliff, does not automatically mean the 11th has to. History is not Destiny.

However, I do appreciate that politicians LOVE to spend when 'ego' issues are in play. The fact that other cities have pulled out due to expected expenses mean that IOC might think twice about demanding too much and reduce competition (which is good for us).

2. Any council that does not contribute should have nothing in the report written about it. If a non-participating council then wants the results, it should be directed to perform its own study at its own cost.

[ozbob]

Study says Paris hosting 2024 Olympic Games could deliver €10.7 billion in economic benefits and create 250,000 jobs https://t.co/KAu8zxwl4b pic.twitter.com/gXYYZLitZN

— Council of Mayors (@SEQMayors) September 21, 2016

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Rome Olympic woes a sign Brisbane should pull out of 2028 bid: Labor

Brisbane City Council's Labor opposition has seized on Rome's decision to pull out of the running for the 2024 Olympic Games to demand Brisbane's potential 2028 bid be abandoned before it began.

Rome mayor Virginia Raggi came out against her city's bid on Wednesday, which was seen as a potential death knell to the Italian capital's chances of hosting the Olympics for the second time.

"We are effectively asking the people of Rome and of Italy to shoulder the debts. We just don't support it," Ms Raggi said on Wednesday.

Rome's official bid team tweeted its disappointment shortly afterwards.

Should Rome's withdrawal be confirmed, that would leave Los Angeles, Paris and Budapest in contention for the 2024 Games.

Brisbane opposition leader Peter Cumming said Rome's decision, combined with the Gold Coast and Logan council's decision not to contribute financially to a prefeasibility study, should be enough to kill off the south-east Queensland bid.

"Overnight, news broke that Rome's new mayor has killed off that city's bid for the 2024 Olympic Games, saying that the Games are 'unsustainable' and will 'only bring debt' to the city," he said.

Cr Quirk says its up to the region's mayors, not him, to decide whether to proceed. Cr Quirk says its up to the region's mayors, not him, to decide whether to proceed. Photo: Glenn Hunt

"With two of the biggest south-east Queensland councils, the Gold Coast and Logan, refusing to participate, the feasibility study shortfall is now up to $500,000.

"Where is that money coming from? Lord Mayor (Graham) Quirk should pull the pin on this now, before any more ratepayer money is wasted."

Cr Cumming said many world cities had come to the conclusion that the modern Olympic Games were too expensive to host and the cost outweighed the benefits.

"The Labor opposition refused to support this feasibility study when it came to the council chamber for debate for these very reasons," he said.

"It's time for Quirk to ditch this fanciful vanity project and focus on the very real needs of this city – public transport, road congestion and reining in bad development."

Cr Quirk, who has spearheaded the Council of Mayors (South East Queensland)'s push for a regional Olympic bid, said he would continue to take a wait-and-see approach.

"At this stage, I'm not in a position to comment because it's not my decision to make, it's the totality of the mayors that have got to make a decision on it," he said.

"We'll be having a hook-up in relation to it very, very soon, so we'll be in a position – it could even be within about a day and a half – of indicating a way forward, whether it's still on or not on, whatever the case might be.

"It's a collective decision and that's the way it'll be addressed."

Brisbane, Redlands, Somerset, Scenic Rim, Lockyer Valley, Toowoomba and the Sunshine Coast councils have all formally endorsed going to a feasibility study.

Ipswich and Moreton Bay councils were yet to vote on the issue.

[#Metro]

History is not destiny. Council funds are based on land taxes, which are efficient and have less bad effects than other taxes. It also means that councils are very very careful with their money.

The fact that Rome has pulled out increases the chances of SEQ holding the event.

Let the feasibility study go ahead. A key thing will be how to learn from other cities mistakes and avoid a net loss on holding the event.